The wizard starts by trimming the donkey's hooves

Chapter 390: Flame Canyon
"What exactly happened?" Audrey was the one who calmed down the fastest. She asked.

"Most of Senior Trevor and other wizards stationed in our school were killed or injured this time, and only a few escaped. The reason was that many Hellfire Rock Giants suddenly appeared in the Raging Flame Canyon at once."

The third-level wizard apprentice calmed down and narrated slowly.

"Hellfire Rock Giants? Aren't there usually only a few evil fire elements that rush out? How come there are so many Hellfire Rock Giants suddenly?" Alicia's face was filled with horror, without a trace of charm.

"Lady Alicia, I don't know the specific reason. The school should send an investigation team immediately." The wizard apprentice shook his head and said.

Then, Alicia and Joseph asked a few more questions.

Since Ryan was not familiar with the situation, he just listened quietly without speaking or asking any questions.

However, when he heard about the Hellfire Rock Giant, Ryan's eyes lit up slightly.

Because he suddenly thought of the Hellfire Crystal that Mentor Mogaro had mentioned before, and it seemed to be growing in the other party's body.

According to the instructor, this type of Hellfire Rock Giant is extremely rare, and because it is not a creature from this world, the related Hellfire Crystals are naturally extremely difficult to find.

This is why, when the Black Flame Cult imitated the Giant Axe Golem Guard, they had to use large energy devices to replace the Hellfire Crystal, causing the imitation to be greatly reduced in power and unable to use any witchcraft attacks.

"Where is the mentor? Has mentor Mogaro known the news?" Audrey asked.

"The instructor has just found out, but he should have been called to a meeting by Lord Bradley."

one day ago.

Inside the Raging Flame Canyon.

I saw that the originally flat ground was full of traces of fighting, with long and short grooves and large and small pits everywhere.

At this moment, wisps of black smoke are still coming out of many pits. If you look closely, you can find that there are fist-sized stones like red-hot coals in the pits, emitting high temperatures and black smoke.

However, unlike the color of coal, these stones are a strange light green.

Following the winding canyon and looking towards the entrance, I saw five or six piles of the same green stones along the way, but their sizes were much larger than those in the pits. They were basically the size of millstones, and some were even giant stones comparable to water tanks.

Next to each pile of scattered stones, there were a number of corpses wearing wizard robes. Judging from the color of their robes, they all seemed to be wizards from the Bixiu Construction School.

At the same time, next to the corpse, there were more puppet parts and broken puppet torsos, which seemed to be telling how fierce the battle was at that time.

In addition, it also shows that the battle scene at that time seemed to be several wizards working together to fight against such a hot rock creature - the Hellfire Rock Giant.

At this time, a group of people in black robes suddenly appeared in the Raging Flame Canyon.

They quickly came to the piles of green stones and began to bend down to search for something.

"Sir, the Abyss Fire Crystal is really useful. This time we have attracted six Hellfire Rock Giants. With the Hellfire Crystal, we can directly create golem guards." A black-robed monk said with a happy look on his face.

Ever since an Abyss Fire Crystal was discovered in a relic some time ago, some smart people in the church came up with this idea.

Use higher-level Abyss Fire Crystals to lure Hellfire Rock Giants, thereby obtaining more stable Hellfire Crystals for making golems.

However, if this plan is to be successfully implemented, many difficulties need to be overcome, the most difficult of which is about the channel.

Unexpectedly, they actually found a crack leading to Baator Hell.

"Yes, and we don't have to kill these Hellfire Rock Giants ourselves. These people from the wizard school are so stupid. They tried their best to kill the Hellfire Rock Giants, but in the end, we took advantage of them." Another person also said with a smile.

"Well, speed up the collection. I guess it won't be long before someone comes back to check on the situation." The high priest named Gregory said with an unconcealable smile on his face.

This time, they finally found a passage connecting to Baator Hell and discovered the traces of the Hellfire Rock Giant.

In terms of actions, they were very secretive and did not take direct action.

Even if the two wizarding schools stationed here sent people to investigate, they would most likely believe that it was caused by a riot in the channel.

"You guys. So it's you guys who are causing trouble."

At this time, a male wizard who was lying on the ground with most of his body burned seemed to wake up after hearing the voice. He looked up with difficulty and said.

"Huh? There is actually a survivor here." A Black Flame monk walked forward with a look of surprise and a hint of sarcasm on his face.

"I'm so sorry, goodbye!"

"Boom!" With a black flame fireball, the school wizard who had just awakened was buried in the sea of ​​fire.

"Okay, High Priest Gregory, a total of five Hellfire crystals have been collected, and there is a Hellfire rock giant that has yet to be conceived." A Black Flame monk reported.

High Priest Gregory glanced at the specially made stone box.

There were five irregular oval-shaped crystals in the box.

Inside the crystal, there is a green flame flowing like water, which is quite magical.

Gregory couldn't help but reveal a satisfied expression, nodded, and said, "Not bad! After a while, when this matter has calmed down, we can do it again."

As Gregory turned to leave, he suddenly thought of something and stopped to add a sentence.

"By the way, check the bodies. If there are any that are not completely dead, remember to replenish them."

"As you command, Archpriest Gregory."
-
The headquarters of the Bixiu Construction School.

After the meeting, Mogaro returned to his office.

A few minutes later, Ryan also entered his office.

"Ryan, I need your help." Mogaro frowned, looked at Ryan and said seriously.

"Teacher, is this about the Flame Canyon?"

"Well, it seems you have heard that Trevor is dead, so I have to go there. The school decided to send both the investigation team and the garrison personnel together this time."

"Although the surviving wizards reported that this situation was an accident, similar to an elemental creature riot, I personally think it may not be that simple."

"Since the sect leader is away, this investigation team will be led by Deputy Sect Leader Lord Bradley. Of course, I will also participate."

"As for the garrison team, there are currently no sufficient personnel from other departments of the school to fill the vacant position. So, Ryan, I would like to ask you to help and take Alicia and Audrey with you."

Mogaro looked at Ryan, with a hint of expectation in his eyes.

"If the situation stabilizes, you can come back anytime. Alicia and Audrey alone can match the combat power of a first-level peak wizard."

"Teacher, there's no problem on my end. I'll make some preparations on when to set off." Ryan thought about it, nodded and agreed.

It just so happened that the Sword Bearer Headquarters was recently clearing out the traitors, and he had no mission to perform.

In addition, his mentor Mogaro has always been nice to him. Since the Metal Department is in trouble, Ryan feels that if he can help with some things, he would naturally help.

"The time is set for tomorrow morning, and we still have half a day to prepare." Mogaro was relieved to see Ryan agreed.

He knew the fighting ability of his disciple.

With Ryan's company, the whole journey was much safer.

"Well, that's enough time." Ryan nodded.

"By the way, the school has decided to double the mission rewards for this trip, from the original 1,000 points per garrison member to 2,000 points."

"If there are any additional discoveries or situations during the garrison, there will be further rewards."

"Oh? That's a good thing." Ryan's eyes lit up and he smiled.

It seems that if he is lucky enough this time, he will soon be able to collect the contribution points required for the third level of the Iron Heart Advanced Meditation Method.

Half an hour later.

Audrey and the others were not surprised to hear Mogaro say that he was going to the Flame Canyon to investigate.

Because senior Trevor is one of mentor Mogaro's favorite disciples, and since something happened to him this time, the mentor will most likely go there in person.

"If we're stationed there, Alicia and Audrey, you two will go together. Also, Ryan, you will come with us too."

"Huh?" Joseph's face darkened when he heard it.

Why isn't his name here?
Could it be that the instructor also heard about how his junior Ryan defeated him in puppet manipulation a few days ago?
Otherwise, why did you bring Ryan along to broaden his horizons this time but not him?

As expected, teachers prefer good students!

Alicia also looked at Ryan with her beautiful eyes, showing surprise.

Is the tutor's favoritism so blatant?

Audrey naturally knew what was going on.

When she heard that Ryan was going with her, her first reaction was a sense of security.

"Joseph, some matters in the department are now left to you." Mogaro turned his head and said to Joseph seriously.

"Okay, mentor, don't worry." Joseph nodded quickly.

The next morning, after having a brief chat with Anna and her family, Ryan arrived at the school's headquarters.

Soon, Mogaro brought Ryan and the other two to the school's airship point.

This is an area similar to an underground launch silo. In the center of the area, a large airship is parked.

"Wow! What a grand scene!" Alicia couldn't help but exclaim.

Although she has been in the Bishu Construction School for five or six years, this is her first time to go to the secret realm.

Before, she also followed her mentor Mogaro and saw some of the world, but not as many people as she was with this time.

Moreover, due to the particularity of the Bixiu Construction School, at this moment, every wizard has one or more puppets behind him, including special rock puppets and metal puppets, many of which are quite large in size.

So, it looks spectacular.

The originally spacious airship deck was now full.

"It's spectacular, isn't it? There are some clay puppets and even larger golems at the bottom of the cargo hold." Alicia couldn't help but interrupt when she saw Ryan looking around with interest.

"Well, it's indeed rare to see." Ryan nodded with a smile.

Most of them were top-level wizards at level one, and there were four level two liquefied wizards, who were the elite and leaders of the clay, rock, and flesh systems. In comparison, the metal system where Ryan was located seemed much weaker, with either women or new faces like Ryan.

As for Mogaro, although he has a lot of experience, the problem is that his strength is stuck at the peak of the first-level wizard. Compared with the heads of several other departments, he is always a step behind.

The person in charge of this operation is the gray-robed wizard at the front of the team - Deputy Sect Leader Bradley, a wizard in the early stage of level three crystallization.

"Yeah, this is the first time I see so many people from the school moving together." Audrey also watched intently, nodded and said.

"Ah, it seems that our metal department is the weakest." Alicia looked around and whispered to Audrey.

"Well, not really." Audrey glanced at Ryan beside her and said.

Although she said so, in her heart, Audrey actually believed that with this person in her metal department, it would undoubtedly be number one.

However, judging from the deputy sect leader’s expression, he doesn’t seem to know the specific identity of Lord Ryan?
Could it be that only the mentor and the sect leader knew?

"Audrey, look! That's Paul Nixon of the Clay System, the direct descendant of the Duke Nixon family!" Alicia's beautiful eyes lit up, and she suddenly pulled Audrey's sleeve excitedly and said.

Ryan looked up and saw that the other person was a handsome young man who was wearing a khaki wizard robe and was slightly thin. Apart from anything else, his appearance was absolutely first-class.

"Hey, how can I have a chat with the other person? But being too proactive is not good, right?"

"Well, Alicia, don't you think that he is not as handsome as Junior Ryan?"

"Well, although my junior brother Ryan is also very handsome, I am going to get married. Being handsome is not enough to make a living. I still have to find someone with strength and background. Hey, Audrey, you are still young and don't understand this."

Alicia and Audrey were talking in whispers.

But how could these be hidden from Ryan's perception? Ryan couldn't help but smile when he heard it.

As all the personnel arrived, the sound of gears turning was heard at the top of the silo. Suddenly, the ceiling slowly opened and the airship began to rise.

After more than half a day, the airship arrived over the Raging Flame Canyon.

However, looking from mid-air, one can see a large lush forest ahead, without any trace of canyon terrain.

"Huh? Where's the Raging Flame Canyon?"

"Haha, because there is a huge illusion array set up by an ancient wizard here, this junior girl should be a metal major, right? I seem to have seen her several times in the school."

At this time, a young man with aristocratic demeanor walked out of the cabin and said with a smile.

"Ah, it's Mr. Paul! Hello, I'm Alicia."

Compared to Audrey's calm expression, Alicia on the side was even more excited than Audrey herself and took the initiative to interrupt.

"Hello, Mr. Paul, I'm Audrey." Audrey bowed slightly and said calmly.

The number of female wizards was originally small, and both Audrey and Alicia were ranked among the top in the entire Bixiu Construction School in terms of beauty.

Especially Audrey, who has an innocent look, attracted Paul's attention when she got on the airship.

As for Ryan who was standing aside, Paul just glanced at him and ignored him.

After all, judging from perception, the other party is only in the early stage of the first level and seems to be a new wizard who has just joined the school. He should have a good relationship with the tutor and was brought here to see the world.

However, in the next few minutes, Paul, the genius wizard of the clay system, did not achieve his goal.

He didn't get to talk to Audrey, but was constantly interrupted by Alicia.

Ryan didn't care about Paul's attitude at all, he just thought he was a little brat.

At this moment, he was thinking about what Paul had just said, thoughtfully.

An illusion?
But can a terrain like the canyon completely block it?

Sure enough, with an extremely slight fluctuation of witchcraft, the huge airship seemed to fly into an invisible bubble, and the scene in front of him suddenly changed.

From a lush forest, it turned directly into a long, dark red canyon.

At this moment, wisps of black smoke and a slightly unpleasant smell of sulfur are emanating from the depths of the canyon.

Ryan estimated that although the canyon was about ten kilometers long, if he wanted to use a wizard formation to cover it up completely, even a fourth-level Dawn Wizard might not be able to accomplish this feat.

As the airship slowly descended, traces of battle on the ground gradually came into everyone's sight.

Many young wizards cried out in surprise. Obviously, the severity of the scene was far beyond their expectations.

The conversation between Alicia and the others also came to an abrupt end.

As soon as they got off the airship, everyone felt a heat wave coming towards them.

Deep in the Flame Canyon, flames are burning all year round. Even though this place is far away from the real core area, the temperature is already quite hot.

The defense of the canyon is under the charge of the Bishu Construction School at the southern exit of the canyon, while the northern exit is under the charge of the Sandel School.

Ryan was quite interested in the remains of the Hellfire Rock Giant. When his mentor Mogaro and other senior members of the school were inspecting the scene, he also watched with interest.

"There are no other traces of witchcraft on the bodies of the fallen wizards of the school. They either died from the burning of hellfire or from severe blows to vital parts of their bodies!"

"The traces of battle also indicate this."

"This situation should be an accidental event." One of the second-level liquefaction wizards expressed his opinion.

However, after Ryan walked around, he was seen standing still at a certain place with a slightly frown on his face.

He felt a familiar breath. Although it was very faint, it was real.

seem
This matter is not as simple as many people in the school think.

When he came to his mentor Mogaro again, the investigation team's discussion was still going on.

"But there is a very strange situation. According to the records in ancient books, Hellfire crystal cores will normally be produced in the body of a Hellfire Rock Giant." Mogaro said.

"But the crystal cores in these Hellfire Rock Giants are gone."

“Although not every Hellfire Rock Giant will have a crystal core in its body, there are at least six remains at the scene. If none of them exist, this situation would be too strange.”

"Is it possible that the records in the ancient books are wrong?" another second-level wizard said after thinking for a moment.

"After all, the ancient wizards may not know the details of alien creatures like the Hellfire Rock Giant. Perhaps some of the content is just personal speculation?"

"Is it possible that other Hellfire Rock Giants took the Hellfire Crystal Core away when they returned?" someone else said.

"this."

Mogaro wanted to refute the first point of view, but when he heard the second point of view, he hesitated for a moment.

After all, he didn't know much about alien creatures like the Hellfire Rock Giant.

What he knew came from records in ancient books. He really didn't know whether other Hellfire Rock Giants would take away similar crystal cores.

"Let's stay here for two days and observe the situation deep in the Raging Flame Canyon."

"I will discuss with the Sandel School and send more personnel. Everyone should be on high alert!" Deputy School Leader Bradley said with the final word.

Immediately, the investigation team and the replacement personnel settled down at the base, and everything was safe and sound for three consecutive days.

As in the past, occasionally one or two evil fire elements would run out from the depths of the canyon.

As an existence that can be dealt with by a peak first-level wizard, it seems a waste for so many top leaders of the school to waste time here.

Soon, mentor Mogaro and others began to return, but deputy leader Bradley stayed.

Due to the special environment and situation of the Flame Canyon, there is a rich variety of herbs that prefer high temperatures growing inside the canyon, such as the rare Flame Mushroom, Flame Flower, etc.

Many stationed wizards will search for herbs in teams or on their own during their rest time.

"Audrey, how about we go explore the surrounding area together? I heard that the Flesh and Blood Department has found many Flame Mushrooms for two consecutive days." Recently, Paul from the Clay Department seems to have launched an "offensive" against Audrey.

I would often invite Audrey to do something together from time to time.

However, Audrey often refuses, but Alicia is more proactive.

"Okay, Mr. Paul, Audrey, let's go and take a look together." Alicia said with her eyes shining.

These herbs are quite expensive. If you submit them to a school, you can even get a lot of contribution points in exchange.

At this time, Audrey's beautiful eyes looked at Ryan intentionally or unintentionally, as if asking for Ryan's opinion.

Ryan thought about it and nodded slightly.

"Okay, let's go together, Junior Ryan, you come too." Audrey said.

Although the number of people was far different from what Paul had expected, he thought that since Audrey agreed to go, it was a progress.

After a while, the four of them walked towards the depths of the Raging Flame Canyon.

Although they didn't find any flame mushrooms along the way, they found two flame flowers, which made Alicia very happy.

Suddenly, when they passed a corner of the canyon, they felt a heat wave coming.

An elemental creature about two and a half meters tall, burning with light green flames and shaped like a large green balloon, suddenly appeared dozens of meters away.

"It's the evil fire element, everyone be careful!" Alicia exclaimed.

"Don't worry, leave it to me!" Paul said with a smile and confidence.

He was just worrying about where he could show off his strength, but he didn't expect the evil fire element to come to him.

I saw his right hand quickly reach into his arms, take out a crystal emitting an ochre-colored witchcraft light, and chant a spell quickly.

Soon, the crystal began to glow and emitted a light green projection of an inverted pentagram array, which fell to the ground.

"Summon! Clay Monster!"

Suddenly, the ground where the projection was projected began to flash with large yellow light, and then vibrated and bulged violently.

(End of this chapter)